Brussels in 1 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Brussels is a city full of culture and atmosphere. Known as the birthplace of beer and chocolate, the most beautiful capital in all of Europe always gets all the accolades. Walking around the Belgian capital you will discover the contrasts of its streets, and who knows, you might fall in love with it too.

If you're thinking about what to see and do in Brussels, but you're just passing through with a stopover or only have 24 hours on your itinerary, a full day might be enough to get a general idea of the city and explore its historic centre. It may seem a bit ambitious, but it won't be complicated once you've read this guide. Are you up for it?

The first stop is one of the most beautiful squares in the world, and why do we start here? Because this way you can enjoy it with few people and admire all the buildings that surround it as they deserve. They are historic architectural works and governmental headquarters, famous for their façades. In fact, they are considered World Heritage Sites. If you don't want to miss a thing, book an art and culture tour of Brussels. The buildings that stand out the most are:

• Hotel de Ville.
• Maison des Brasseurs.
• Maison des Ducs de Brabant.
• Le Renard.
• Le Cornet.
• Le Roi d'Espagne.

You will also find the Maison du Roi, which was once the residence of the royal family, but now houses the Museum of the City of Brussels, and Le Pigeon, the building where the French novelist Victor Hugo lived during his exile in Belgium.

In addition to its beauty, Grand Central Square owes its fame to the important events that took place there. For example: the first Belgian Protestants who were burned to death during the Inquisition and the great bombardments by the French. If you are interested in culture and want to learn more about the Belgian capital, you should make a selection of the best museums in Brussels according to your day trip.

Next, head to the nearby Brussels Cathedral. It has an incomparable Gothic style and was built in the 13th century. It is the main Catholic church not only in the city of Brussels, but in the whole of Belgium. In the past it was known as St. Michael's Church, but in 1047 it housed the remains of St. Gudula and took on its current identity.

If you want to make the most of your time, you cannot miss a visit to the inside, as the interior is as impressive as the exterior. And not because it has objects of great value, as it has been looted on several occasions. It is simply that the details and colours of its stained glass windows are impressive.

You can also visit the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, protected by a large wrought iron gate, which dates from the 18th century. But the most majestic object is a spectacular organ with 4,000 pipes, surrounded by statues of the apostles, a real luxury. A real luxury, and admission is free!

Afterwards, take a break from the culture at the Galeries Saint Hubert, the most Parisian place in Brussels. They were designed in 1847, making them the first shopping galleries in Europe, and you can get there easily if you book the Brussels sightseeing bus. Although the prices are steep, you can take a stroll through this famous shopping centre to discover its glamorous atmosphere.

The shops along the 200 metres are of the best and most renowned brands, but it is the architecture that appeals to all visitors. You don't need to buy anything, but don't forget to take some unique photographs at this iconic stop in the city.

But it's not just its beauty, it's also its history. In the 1800s, this was a meeting point, where the city's intellectuals and artists met in the evenings under the wonderful glass roof.

And the moment you've been waiting for has arrived: what would a trip to Brussels be without tasting its beer? Don't miss the chance to enjoy the Belgians' favourite drink during your visit to the city. To do so, you have several options:

• Beer tasting in Brussels, from CAD 42.
• Beer tasting with food and wine pairing in Brussels, from CAD 72.
• Beer tour of Brussels, from CAD 89.

In addition, my favourite bar is Delirium, which is very famous and recognised in the world of beer, as it holds the Guinness record for the most varied offer in the world. It's not cheap, of course, but a visit is an experience. It has many rooms to explore and, of course, high quality beer.

Other great drinking options include A la Mort Subite, Le Cercueil and Au Bon Vieux Temps. If you can't decide which one to go for, you might as well try a glass in each of them. But as I've already mentioned, a tour of the best breweries in Brussels is always a very good plan.

After tasting the best beer, don't hesitate, continue with the sweetest plan and try waffles, the typical Belgian sweet dish. If you want to know why, you have to see for yourself. There are many varieties everywhere, but the real thing is the Liège style, which only has sugar sprinkled on top. If you book the waffle workshop at Bruselass you will discover all its secrets.

And if you're in the Manneken Pis area, you'll be drawn to the aroma coming out of Maison Dandoy's shop, a famous little shop rated as one of the best.

One thing you can be sure of, though, is that you can't leave without trying something sweet on your visit to Brussels. So if waffles aren't your thing, you can read this article about the best chocolate tastings in Brussels:

• Chocolate workshop in Brussels, from CAD 52.
• Chocolate making class in Brussels, from CAD 99.
• Chocolate tour and workshop in Brussels, from CAD 103.

Your next stop is the Manneken Pis, one of the top things to see and do in Brussels and a key stop if you book a tour of the Belgian capital. A symbol of the city, it consists of a tiny 66-centimetre bronze sculpture of a little boy doing his thing. Over the years it has become one of the most visited landmarks in the capital and anyone passing through the city takes their photograph with them.

Its history is quite interesting, as this figure was created in 1619, but then it was stolen and replaced by the reproduction you can find today. But this was not the only unfortunate event that has happened. The city was later bombed, but the piss boy was not even scratched. At that point, he became a much-loved character.

The peculiarity of this boy is that he is always changing his attire, as he has a large collection of costumes depending on the occasion or the party in town. And he even has a museum: the Manneken Pis Costume Museum. But the Manneken Pis is not alone in Brussels, it has other friends scattered around. If you continue your walk, you will meet his female colleague Jeanneke Pis, and even a canine friend, Zinneke Pis.

After Manneken Pis and if you enjoyed your visit to the Brussels Cathedral, you should continue to Notre Dame Du Sablon, another architectural work of the same style that has nothing to envy to its cousin the Cathedral. It is located in the upper part of the historic centre and is one of the must-see attractions in the centre of Brussels.

I can assure you that you will be left open-mouthed by the eleven gigantic 15-metre-high works of art that you will see inside, along with the columns that support this incredible church. And of course, you can also get in for free.

Inside, the central pulpit is undoubtedly the highlight. The image of the Virgin Mary was donated by a man to whom the Virgin Mary appeared and told him to take her image to this chapel. The gentleman of course obeyed and today it is equally enjoyed by all visitors.

Next, I would take a short break in this square which has a more traditional style compared to the others in the city. After a long walk, I think it's a good place to take a break.

You'll find plenty of dining options, art galleries and good quality chocolate shops. The streets around the square are also very pretty and picturesque. If you're lucky enough to stop by on a weekend, you'll also find an antiques market, especially for silverware and second-hand books.

Place du Petit Sablon has the particularity of housing 48 bronze statues. If you pay attention, you will be able to identify that each one of them pays homage to an ancient craft.

With your batteries recharged, continue your itinerary at the seat of the Belgian judiciary, which has a rough and tumble history, having suffered several fires and many restorations over the years. But even so, it has become another must-see on your visit to the city of Brussels.

The Palais de Justice building measures more than 26,000 square metres in area and is 104 metres high. A real giant, it is located at the top of the city and offers unparalleled views of the whole of Brussels.

Finally, don't miss a visit to the European Parliament. It's well worth it if you still have time during these intense 24 hours in the city. Especially if you are a politics buff, as this exhibition will tell you about the history of Europe and how the European Union was devised.

The exhibition is educational, interesting and modern, and is available in several languages, so that no one is left out of the explanations. You will be given a multimedia guide so you can visit the site at your own pace - no excuses!

If you have a day and you want to visit some places further away from the centre, Brussels has the best tourist buses to save you time and make it easy to get around the city. But if you prefer to travel by public transport, I recommend you buy a day pass, which will save you money and give you more freedom.

I also recommend you check out the best museums in Brussels. The exhibitions are very varied and for all audiences, but it is always a good idea to arrange your visit in advance. The most interesting ones are:

• Brussels Atomium: in the following post I will guide you on how to buy tickets and what are the prices of this unique museum in Europe.
• Autoworld Museum of Brussels.
• Brussels Museum of Musical Instruments.
• Cinquantenaire Museum of Brussels.
• Banksy Museum in Brussels.

And if you need information about more extended itineraries, you can also consult my guide about 2-day itinerary in Brussels, 3-day itinerary in Brussels or 4-day itinerary in Brussels through the city of Brussels.